Most dogs like taking a ride in the car (especially if they’re going to Pet Supermarket), but it’s important to remember a few tips to make sure both you and your friend arrive at your destination safely:

Dog distractions can be dangerous

According to AAA, looking away from the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of a crash. Yet in a survey, more than 55% of drivers admit to petting their dog while driving and 21% allow their dog to sit in their lap. It may seem harmless, but it could be dangerous. To avoid distractions, it’s safest to keep Fido in the back seat.

Restraints are recommended

AAA says only 17% of people use one, but restraints protect your pet in case of an accident. They also protect other passengers since an unrestrained dog can become a flying projectile during a crash. A fender bender or hard stop can cause a small dog to be launched forward as well. Pet Supermarket stores carry a full line of Coastal Easy Rider Car Harnesses in all sizes.

Keep your dog’s head inside

Your canine buddy may enjoy hanging his head out the window, but it’s not safe for a couple of reasons. First, road debris can fly into your dog’s ears, nose or eyes, causing injury or irritation. Also, your dog might be tempted to jump out or could fall out during an accident.

Safe car restraints for your dog

Whether you’re going on a road trip or driving around the corner, there are a few things you can use to make the trip safe for everyone.

• A crate or carrier. There are a broad variety of crates and travel carriers available. If you use a soft-sided crate or small carrier, make sure it’s secured in your car.
• A dog restraint or dog seat belt. These restraints attach to your car’s seatbelt system and are tested for the same safety standards as human seatbelts.
• A dog car seat. Just like a child car seat, it will secure your pup with a three-point restraint system and allow him to see out the window.

You’re busy and don’t really have enough time to train your dog… or so you think. Did you know you can train your dog in sessions of 5 to 10 minutes?

Short training sessions are great for busy pet parents and they also help dogs. Learning in shorter chunks keeps them motivated and focused. Here’s how to get started…

Choose a time for training
Walk your dog every day? Include a short training activity in one of your daily walks. If you don’t walk your dog, set aside 5 to 10 minutes for a playtime session that will double as training. Daily sessions are best, but if you can’t fit them in, shoot for a few times a week.

One command at a time
Focus on one basic command—sit, stay, come, heel or down—until your dog has mastered it. For example, show your dog the command and what you expect, reward him when he does it correctly and keep reinforcing it. With practice, your dog will start following your commands consistently.

He’ll work for food
When training, remember the reward! Give him a food treat, a favorite toy or your attention. And ensure his motivation is high by training before meal time, when he’s still hungry, or at a time when he craves your attention (after work, for example).

Make it fun
Training should be fun for both you and your dog. This keeps both of you motivated. If you’re too tired, not in the mood or your dog is too distracted, save it for next time. If he’s too energetic, let him run it off before training.

Keep it positive
Keep training positive and reward Fido for a job well done. Remember, his motivation is to please you and get the reward. If he doesn’t perform the command, his “punishment” should be no attention from you (ignore his bad response) and no reward.

The next time you walk or play with your dog, think about the training possibilities. With just a few fun lessons, your dog will start responding to your commands.

For a little help choosing dog treats for training, visit Pet Supermarket.

Your dog’s hearing is one of his strongest senses and should be protected with a weekly ear cleaning.

Breeds with large, floppy ears or dogs that spend time swimming in the summer are especially vulnerable to ear infections. Here are some tips to help you clean this sensitive area:

• Tools you’ll need include an ear cleaning solution and ear cleansing pads or cotton balls. Ear powder is can also help dry the ear and cut odor.
• Gently pull the ear flap up to straighten the ear canal. Drop some ear wash into your dog’s ear and gently massage the base of the ear to work the solution in.
• Your dog will naturally want to shake to clear his ears. Let him shake to loosen the debris, then settle him down again for the cleaning.
• Use a cotton ball or ear cleansing pad to carefully remove wax and debris. Don’t use Q-tips, as they can damage the ear drums if inserted too deeply.
• Once you’ve cleaned your dog’s ears, keep his ear flaps folded back a few minutes to dry. (If he lets you.) A little ear powder will also keep the area dry and reduce odor.

Clean your dog’s ears once a week and take him to the vet if he shows signs of an ear infection. Signs include redness, odor, heavier discharge, ear scratching and rubbing ears on the floor or other surfaces.

Keep those ears clean to avoid costly problems later! Visit your local store or our website for ear cleaning solutions and products.

Here’s something you might not know about your dog: he can lose 50 percent of his muscle or body fat and survive, but losing just 10% of his water weight could be dangerous. Water is easy to overlook, but its importance can’t be understated. Read on for tips on how to keep your dog hydrated.

Signs of dehydration

Your dog may be dehydrated if he:

• Is lethargic or sluggish
• Has sunken eyes
• Shows a loss of appetite
• Has dry, sticky gums
• Seems depressed

Although it isn’t foolproof, one way to check for dehydration is to gently lift the skin on the back of your dog’s neck or between his shoulders. The skin should immediately return to normal. If it keeps a tented shape for a few seconds, he may lack fluids.

Playing in hot weather or a bout of either diarrhea or vomiting can put him in danger of dehydration, so pay attention to the signs. If he shows these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately. Dehydration can set in within 18 to 24 hours.

Tips to prevent dehydration

• Your dog should drink at least one ounce of water per pound of body weight every day.
• Clean and refresh your dog’s water bowl daily. Stagnant water can grow bacteria.
• Watch your dog’s water intake by filling his bowl to the same level every day.
• Get a water bowl that is hard to knock over.
• Take water for your dog when you’re traveling or exercising.
• During warmer weather, make sure your dog rests and rehydrates after being outdoors.
• A dog’s breath is six percent moisture, so don’t ignore hydration in colder months.
• Be especially careful if your dog is older, diabetic, pregnant, nursing, has had diarrhea or vomiting, or suffers from an illness.

If your dog seems in danger of dehydration and refuses to drink, try giving him watered-down juice (non-citrus juice), chicken or beef broth with low sodium, water with ice in it, or water with a little kibble in it. Non-flavored Pedialyte mixed with equal parts water can also help delay dehydration, although it won’t cure it.

Keep an eye on the H20 to keep your dog happy and hydrated.